PREP Generator - What is best for less than $1000?

dstraito

dstraito

TB Fanatic
I'm looking to get a multipurpose generator for $1000 or less. I would appreciate anyones comments or experience about what kind of generator, where should I go to get it and best value for the $$$$.

One purpose would be to run a 220V Welder on the 220 outlet.

I'm not sure I understand about rating a generator and how much I would need for a welder that has a 30-180amp range. It may be that under $1000 there isn't an appropriate one.

Other purposes would be in case of power outage or heaven forbid, TSHTF, as a prep to run light appliances (Fridge, Freezer, fan, light).

I wondered if for example a Honda Generator at Lowes or Home Depot would be the same as at a Honda Shop for example.

I bought a Lincoln Welder and I started to buy it from Lowes and I found out the Lowes version is like a 180T whereas for a little bit more I could go to a welding shop and get a 180C. Same basic model but more metal parts for the 180C where the 180T had plastic so it made a difference in the quality of the welder and the longevity.

Thanks in Advance for any advice.

I may end up instead building a 220 Extension cord and plugging into the dryer outlet.

dstraito
 
M

Maverick

Membership Revoked
I did not pick the best generator, I picked any generator that gave me the best $/watt ratio. So, I got mine at Pep Boys.

There are other options - 12volt outputs, more than one outlet, electric start vs. pull - which all add to the cost.

I just want to say that you need to get one that outputs enough watts for your heaviest load, otherwise you will be disappointed.

Another tip, I picked a generator where the oil tank is separate from the gasoline. Some generators require you to mix oil in with the gas as a lubricant. Find out what your buying *before* you first start it up!

Finally, you need to get a liquid product called "Stabil" as a gas additive if you leave the gas in the tank for longer than a couple of months or the gas will form a waxy coating on the fuel lines and everything else. You can find it in any place like Walmart.

The last piece of advice I found out the hard way is, start it at least once a month or it's a royal pain to start when you finally decide too. I have no explanation for why this occurs - but trust me, it's a pain.
 
Dennis Olson

Dennis Olson

Chief Curmudgeon
_______________
You would have to determine the maximum power requirement (in Amps) on the INPUT side of your welder. I don't know that it would be 180 amps (I know nothing about welders). I DO know this: my $13,000 generator that ran my entire house, only allowed for a 90 amp load.
 
dstraito

dstraito

TB Fanatic
clem said:
I've had one of these for about 10 months now and it has worked fine everytime that I have started it up.
I have NOT used it for 220 welding but, I'm sure that it could handle it.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Produc...pageHorizontalTop-_-PopularProductsInCategory
Click to expand...

I just called the place where I got the welder and they told me the Miller (mine is Lincoln but did not have specs) required a 4.1K watts so anything over 5000w would probably do. That Costco one looks like a good one, I'll check it out, thanks
 
dstraito

dstraito

TB Fanatic
Maverick said:
I did not pick the best generator, I picked any generator that gave me the best $/watt ratio. So, I got mine at Pep Boys.

There are other options - 12volt outputs, more than one outlet, electric start vs. pull - which all add to the cost.

I just want to say that you need to get one that outputs enough watts for your heaviest load, otherwise you will be disappointed.

Another tip, I picked a generator where the oil tank is separate from the gasoline. Some generators require you to mix oil in with the gas as a lubricant. Find out what your buying *before* you first start it up!

Finally, you need to get a liquid product called "Stabil" as a gas additive if you leave the gas in the tank for longer than a couple of months or the gas will form a waxy coating on the fuel lines and everything else. You can find it in any place like Walmart.

The last piece of advice I found out the hard way is, start it at least once a month or it's a royal pain to start when you finally decide too. I have no explanation for why this occurs - but trust me, it's a pain.
Click to expand...

thanks for the advice, that is what I'm looking to do is avoid things other people have found out the hard way.
 
dstraito

dstraito

TB Fanatic
Dennis Olson said:
You would have to determine the maximum power requirement (in Amps) on the INPUT side of your welder. I don't know that it would be 180 amps (I know nothing about welders). I DO know this: my $13,000 generator that ran my entire house, only allowed for a 90 amp load.
Click to expand...

I just found out the max breaker I would need on the generator for my welder is 30Amp.
 
Dennis Olson

Dennis Olson

Chief Curmudgeon
_______________
Okay, so you'd need 220v at 30 amp. That's a start. Armed with that data, you can do a search. Note that that would be RUN current, not SURGE current.)

Stay away from anything with a lawnmower-style engine. Hondas are always a good bet. I'd stay totally away from ANY of the small Generacs (like you'd find at Sam's or Costco). Those are junk. Many of the parts in the alternator end are plastic!

Expect to pay $1500 for something decent.

Realistically, you only want to run a generator at about 70% of full load, so you'd want something that would handle (say) 40 amps at 220v.


ETA: Then, fuel source needs to be considered. Gasoline is of course the least expensive, but diesel and LP gas are also options. Further, the method of engine cooling is important to consider. Liquid cooling is better, but adds a great deal to the cost. It also makes the unit quieter, which is yet another consideration, that of noise levels. Electric start is also important if you're not in great physical shape. Picking a generator is a time-consuming project that requires some thorough homework before pulling the trigger. Failure to do so will leave you unhappy with your choice.
 
M

mudwrench

Senior Member
buy a gas welder

a gas powered welder is built tougher than most home generators they are made to run for long periods. they also have electrical outlets for 110/220 look on craigs list for a good used one i see them all the time on there in your price range in my opinion a welder is more bang for the buck and parts are available for them
 
fairbanksb

fairbanksb

Freedom Isn't Free
I have a Generac generator. It is only 4000 watt so probably not big enough for your welder but it has all the features. 110 and 220 plug ins and a 12v plug in. Four gal gas tank runs 7 hours on full load or 11 hrs on partial load. I bought it because I am in hurricane alley and it will easily run freezer, refrig, microwave, window AC, lights, coffee pots etc (not all at the same time). I used to start it up and run a partial load every six weeks or so but because of medical issues I had not started it in over a year. About 3 weeks ago I pulled it out to see if it would start for this hurricane season and once I remembered to turn on the fuel supply it started with 2 pulls.
 
Hfcomms

Hfcomms

EN66iq
I have had a 3.5kw Generac generator since 1994. It starts on the first few pulls every time. The only thing I do is change the oil and plug occasionally. Generac's design their own motors for the generators which are designed to be most efficient at the operating RPM of the system. The fuel tank is plastic as well as a few other small parts but this thing is bullet proof and one of the best purchases I've ever made.
 
SIRR1

SIRR1

Deceased
dstraito,

Once you have your new genny and you have a few hours on the engine and it's time to change the engines oil after break in, switch to full synthentic oil!

The motor will run cooler, be more efficient and last longer.

Mobil One, Amzoil, Valvoline NextGen 100% synthetic oil or what ever is on sale at Walmart.

SIRR1
 
dstraito

dstraito

TB Fanatic
SIRR1 said:
dstraito,

Once you have your new genny and you have a few hours on the engine and it's time to change the engines oil after break in, switch to full synthentic oil!

The motor will run cooler, be more efficient and last longer.

Mobil One, Amzoil, Valvoline NextGen 100% synthetic oil or what ever is on sale at Walmart.

SIRR1
Click to expand...


good advice, thanks.
 
LittleJohn

LittleJohn

Membership Revoked
Dennis Olson said:
Put at least 50 hours on it before switching to synthetic. Trust me.
Click to expand...

Mobile's website for Mobil1 synthetic oil says you don't need to break in the engine before adding synthetic oil...but that is for "todays high performance engines."

I'm not saying your statement is false at all...I just wonder why you need to have 50 hours on it.

In the back of my mind, I remember something about synthetic oil being thinner, and the need to have regular oil to make the gaskets swell...or something like that.

Am I close?


LittleJohn
 
Dennis Olson

Dennis Olson

Chief Curmudgeon
_______________
Synthetic oil is much "slipperier" than dino-juice. You want your engine 100% broken in before switching. I don't give a DAMN what Mobil 1's website says. MECHANICS say something completely different.
 
P

Ponce

Contributing Member
I have six of them, from 350W to 5,000W............my 1,000 two strokes for everyday use and the 5,000 for once a day for the freezers and frig...............you don't need 5,000 24/7.........a waste of good gas and generator.

Also have solar pannels, two sets of them.......complete with inverter and so on.
 
T

TheGatherer

Senior Member
I bought a 'Boily' 3k watt generator for my travel trailer that works great in that application... It wouldn't run your welder but my 6500 Honda si would... I use it for 'power out' situations here in FLA and it runs everything except the big 220vac stuff... The Boily uses about 1.3 gals a night in winter keeping the TT going... It costs $969 delivered, but it helps to be handy to check everything out...
 
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